Hello all,
Currently living through the worst personal crisis I have experienced so I have come here for support and advice.
12 months ago I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, I have PTSD due to emotional and sexual abuse from a previous relationship and only very recently have I realised the extent of my sleep apnoea. All these combining to create a personal health crisis that I am trying to fight my way out of.
The catalyst for this crisis came about a month ago when my partner left me. Living in a brain fog for the past few months in the lead up to the separation, I lost my ability to communicate fully due to the effects of the complete and utter physical and emotional exhaustion. I was, and remain absolutely devastated that this has happened and that we couldn't work through this crisis.
First of all I visited my GP and had blood tests and a general physical examination, a MHCP and a referral to a psychologist.
I have started seeing the psychologist which has so far been mainly backward steps due to the emotional stress I am feeling and the additional problems the sessions have so far released. I had tried to block out the abuse from a previous relationship, all I was doing was trying to ignore it and the emotional and physical symptoms have continued to haunt me.
I have finally realised the effects that my until recently undiagnosed sleep apnoea, and had a sleep study test completed. I am tomorrow seeing the sleep apnoea specialist to start a 4 week trial with a CPAP machine. Having not slept properly in maybe a couple of years I am exhausted physically and emotionally and cannot wait to have that one decent nights sleep.
On a daily basis I am still emotionally vulnerable, when distracted by work or tasks I am less anxious. I still have trouble falling much less staying asleep (on average I get 3-3.5 hours sleep per night) I wake most mornings at 3am and remain wide awake until my alarm goes off.
I have begun taking supplementation to try to boost my immune system and also stress management. I have begun taking over the counter medications for anxiety management.
I have had anxiety and panic attacks due to the delays in the time it takes to see psychologists. I have no one to talk to apart from my sister and I am struggling to deal with any of this. I am trying to be pro active and practical but it is not that simple. Mental health is not something that is easy to share or talk about with friends.
I am suffering in silence.
